The building achieves a positive overall energy balance:
Its photovoltaic system generates more electrical energy than is required for both electricity and heating. The surplus energy is used, for example, to charge the university’s electric vehicle.
The building is equipped with sensors, actuators, bus systems, and a building management system that allows settings to be adjusted and meter readings to be monitored. All data is stored in a database and is available for analysis, benchmarking, and the optimization of energy efficiency.
The research hall consists of a load-bearing structural frame made of glued laminated timber beams mounted on concrete plinths. The infill between the structural members is formed by timber frame wall elements, which also provide structural bracing for the building.
Compared to reinforced concrete or masonry, timber construction methods make an active contribution to climate protection due to their low embodied energy and the CO₂ stored within the wood itself. The ventilated timber façade, made of untreated locally sourced Douglas fir, reduces solar heat gain on the exterior walls and minimizes heat losses caused by wind.
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Almost the entire roof area is covered with photovoltaic modules. The varied orientation of the panels enables energy generation throughout the entire day and across all seasons.
The electricity produced primarily supplies offices, seminar rooms, and building services systems. Any surplus energy is fed back into the grid. The photovoltaic yield is a key factor in the research hall’s positive overall energy balance.
The energy fence is a solar air absorber made of plastic pipes that collects heat from ambient air and solar radiation. Its size and orientation are optimized to maximize the efficient use of both outdoor air and solar energy.
The harvested environmental energy is used directly as an input source for the heat pump or to regenerate the ice storage system. If the energy fence yield is insufficient, the heat pump draws the required energy directly from the ice storage system.
The ice storage system consists of a large water tank with spirally arranged plastic pipes serving as a heat exchanger—comparable to a large cistern. It acts as an energy source for the heat pump and stores thermal energy from the ground, air, and solar radiation.
In winter, the system makes use of the phase change from water to ice: during crystallization, the same amount of energy is released as is required to heat water from 0°C to 80°C. The energy fence regenerates the storage system multiple times. In summer, the ice provides passive cooling for the building.
The intelligent building management system takes into account weather data, forecasts, seasonal conditions, and user behaviour to optimally harness heat from all available sources and distribute it efficiently throughout the building.
By integrating all sensor data and manufacturer experience values, the system proactively ensures sufficient heating and cooling capacity at all times. Priority is given to the use of electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic system.
Campus Feuchtwangen
Hochschule Ansbach
An der Hochschule 1
91555 Feuchtwangen
Phone: +49 9852 86398 - 100
E-Mail: campus-feuchtwangen@hs-ansbach.de
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